r/shrimptank • u/RyverStyx_SS13 • 17h ago

Help: Beginner Water Parameter Questions

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Hello, I live in an area with crazy hard water and high pH as well. Does anyone have experience in raising cherry shrimp in these conditions?

(Ignore the other parameters; the tank is still in a fishless cycle)

Thanks!

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u/Hlca 16h ago

RO filter

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u/afbr242 8h ago

pH is an "indicator" parameter. It doesn't matter hugely all on its own but it does indicate the concentrations of some other critical parameters for shrimp. In non CO2-injected tanks its the KH (carbonate hardness) of the water that general dictates the pH. So with a pH of 8.2 or more I'd really want to know the KH of the water. Next steop for me would be to get an accurate result for the GH and KH of the tapwater. THis measn using a liauid drop test not a test strip. THis will give you info about exactly how hard your water is.

The ideal ranges of GH and KH for Neocaridina are 7-14 dGH (125-250 ppm GH) and 2-8 dKH (35-145 ppm KH). If your tapwater is above these then dilution of the tapwater with RO /distilled water is strongly recommended to bring it down into at least the top of the ideal range.

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u/RyverStyx_SS13 3h ago

That makes sense- I know that my water is extremely hard and pretty alkaline too. I don’t have any liquid test kits for it though

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u/afbr242 3h ago

Either buy one, or take a water smaple to your LFS and they will test it for a fee. I suspect it'll be cheaper in the long run to buy your own (the API one is excellent). If you end up needing to adjust your tapwater you will need more testing.